25 Comments
I truthfully don't understand why this is a relevant phrase to learn, is it somehow important in Swahili is "Knock knock" apart of every day culture?
1643
I used to live in Tanzania. It's definitely relevant. This is something you would hear if your neighbor came over, but had their hands full and couldn't knock on the door to let you know they are there. Basically, it means, "Can I enter?"
- 900
People used to do that where I worked. We worked in cubicles, so there were no doors and our backs were to the entrance. If someone came to your cubicle "door" and didn't want to scare you, some would say, "Knock knock".
It is relevant - but not only when your hands are full; it is not the Swahili culture to knock at all. Rather wherever one might knock in cultures where knocking is used, Swahili speakers would use "Hodi". Otherwise love your comment! :)
- 562
JoThelan already said it, but I have to stress how common this is in swahili-Culture. Often people start yelling "hodi hodi" when they are close to the house, before coming up to the door. The reply is always "Karibu/ni!" =Welcome/plural! or Karibu ndani! = Welcome inside!
- 1643
Thanks, Bwana! It's just so integral to Swahili culture that it's a bit hard to explain.
- 227
Of course, many traditional huts did not have a door to knock on at all. So saying "hodi hodi" was a way of making a guest's presence known.
In black culture.(america) we say hoodie whoo! to get someones attention l its funny to know that we got it from swahili and never new.
- 619
I got excited seeing this and was like, "AYE!!"
Glad to see I'm not the only one who noticed the connection
- 55
Saying "knock" or "knock knock" is an integral part of the cultures of Africa I have experienced. It is a way of asking for permission to enter one's homestead or door without physically knocking on something. Other examples,
Ndau = dododo , reply is "gumai" literally meaning "arrive" Shona = gogogoi, reply is "svikai" literally meaning "arrive" Ndebele = qoki qoki, reply is "ngenani" literally meaning "enter"
- 368
This is similar to how the Japanese say "shitserui shi mas" before entering a room.
While living in Japan I did notice people used it for both entering and leaving. I'd say it to my boss before leaving, and other people would say it when they wanted to enter or leave. (I worked at a school, fyi)
Is this pronounced "ho-dee", with "o" as in "orange", or " hoa-dee", with "o" as in "code"?
As in orange - Swahili "o" is always open/rounded [ɔ] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-mid_back_rounded_vowel
Its kind of like "HO" like Santa clause i guess. Then "Dee" like the word deer. My neighbors say it all the time. Hope this helps
